An article about how to choose a lamp for the car. Important selection criteria, tips and advice. At the end of the article - an interesting video about car lamps.
Car light bulbs classification
There are two main types of automotive lamps:
- headlamps (designed for headlights);
- additional lighting lamps (these include light bulbs for parking lights, interior lighting, signal lights, etc.).
Incandescent lamps
The classic and familiar version of the lighting device. It is a vacuum glass sphere in which a spiral of thin tungsten wire is placed. Differs in low efficiency (from 6 to 8%) and susceptibility to temperature increase. The lamp tends to heat up, so it can melt down the plastic elements of the machine, if not careful.
A light bulb is a cylindrical flask (as opposed to a spherical incandescent lamp). A tungsten coil is also placed inside, but instead of a vacuum, the flask is filled with an inert gas containing halogen vapor.
This allowed to solve some of the problems that remained characteristic of incandescent lamps - the design of halogen devices helps to clean the inner space of a glass vessel, which eliminates the deposition of tungsten particles on the walls in the process. Therefore, the halogen lamp is not threatened with blackout.
Xenon lamps
They represent a cylindrical flask filled with xenon. Instead of a spiral, two electrodes are placed inside, between which, after energizing, an arc occurs. Lamps have a large color temperature (K), in contrast to the two previous options.
But xenon lighting devices require an ignition unit to provide the lamp with the necessary voltage, which is not always convenient.
LED bulbs
LED bulbs for the car have undeniable advantages:
- profitability;
- environmental friendliness;
- resistance to mechanical damage;
- high light temperature;
- the ability to switch to LED lighting without any major alterations in the car.
Lamp classification according to the characteristics of the base
The base not only performs the functions of fixing and transferring electricity to the lighting device, but also serves to seal the bulb. The only exception is the LED version - these devices do not need tightness.
Marking designations of socles:
- 1 contact (S);
- 2 (D);
- 3 (T);
- 4 (Q);
- 5 (p).
How to choose a lamp for car headlights
Too many choices and often questionable sales tips put many car owners at bay when they have to change lighting devices.
What to consider when replacing head light bulbs:
Light Type
Headlamps suitable lamps:
- Н1 - single filament lamp, power 55 W, service life from 350 to 550 hours;
- H3 - designed for fog lights, have a special connector, power 55 W;
- H4 - halogen lamp with two tungsten coils, used for long / short range lighting, power 55 W;
- H7 - have one thread, well suited for far and near lighting.
If you do not know which category you need, you can find information in the data sheet of the car. All types of lamps and types of caps are indicated in the respective tables. Or you can grab a failed light bulb to the store and ask the seller to find you the same.
Change the lighting in the headlights should be in pairs, otherwise the brightness will be different
Old lamps shine less. In addition, the validity of any equipment is limited, and if one of the lamps has burned out, then the second will not last long.
Do not save on lighting details
Choose products only known and reliable manufacturer. The best car bulbs are made by Philips, Narva, Osram.
Each lamp is designed for a certain power, which can provide a specific car.
Therefore, you should not buy instead of the required 60 watts device power of 90 watts. Excessive loads can damage the wiring, damage the plastic protective layer of the headlights or disrupt fuses.
Lamps having a light temperature (K) from 4,000 to 4,500 are distinguished by white light.
At 5,000 K, a bluish tint is clearly visible.
From 3 500 to 4 000 K - yellow shade.
It is desirable to buy ordinary factory-made lamps.
You should not experiment with products characterized by various improvements (extra brightness, etc.). Such a device may not work properly or not at all.
How to choose a lamp by car brand
To choose a light bulb for a particular car, you need to know four things:
- Brand car.
- Model.
- Year of issue.
- Engine size (optional, but useful).
When buying from an online store, you should look for a special service for the selection of autolamps according to the above criteria. As a rule, such filters for the selection can be found on the websites of companies engaged in the manufacture of automotive lighting devices.
Selection of bulbs on the car can also be done by examining the documents on the car.
Interior lighting
For salon lighting, two types of lamps are most often used - socketless (W5W) and soffit lamps (C5W, C10W).
To determine what kind of lamp is needed in a particular case, one should study the failed and understand which category it belongs to:
- W5W. It is made entirely of glass, including a flat base, about 1 cm wide. The lamp has a power of 5 watts.
- C5W. Power 5 watts. It has two conical tips on both sides, made of metal. The length of the flask does not exceed 37 mm.
- C10W. The design is similar to the previous version, with the only difference that the length of the bulb from 38 mm and more. Power 10 watts.
- T4W. Power 4 watts. This variety is rarely used. The lamp has a cylindrical metal base and a flask made of glass.
If there is enough space inside the luminaire, it is advisable to install wider lamps. From them the lighting will be brighter, and due to the economical consumption of electricity there will be no overvoltage. But there are some features that lead to the flashing of LED devices.
Car lights blink - what is the reason
Low-quality built-in stabilizer
Cheap LED lamps are equipped with a stabilizer, which is not able to limit the supplied electricity at the required level. The current supply exceeds the norm, resulting in a lamp fails and works intermittently.
Excessive crystal heating of the LED lamp
This often happens when the headlight LEDs are located next to incandescent bulbs. The latter heats up, the temperature of the crystal rises above 80 degrees and the lighting fails, begins to flash.
Wrong connection
Before installing the LED, you need to know what voltage is required for a particular lamp model.
Sooner or later, every driver is faced with a lighting problem and often does not know how to change a light bulb in a car. The huge number of options is confusing and complicates the choice, but to determine which particular instrument is needed in a particular case is not so difficult. In order not to be mistaken, you should make a purchase in reliable stores where qualified consultants work, who know exactly how to help the client and value their (and store) reputation.
Video about car lamps:
In the life of every driver, there will come a moment when they have to replace car lamps - this is the natural order of things. Each vehicle has at least some types of lamps used in different types of lighting, so it is sometimes difficult to find a suitable one. Where to start, what to choose and how not to get confused? These and other questions you will find the answer in this article.
Where to begin
The first way to start the search for suitable lamps is to get acquainted with their characteristics. Some bases of automobile passing lamps, others needed for rear signals or. Some shine more brightly, others have a yellowish tint.
When choosing lighting devices, we take into account:
- scope of use;
- make and model of the car.
Scope of use
There is not enough time and space to describe all possible options, but below are the characteristics of the most popular lighting fixtures on the market - that is, those. Each of the described lamps uses a voltage of 12 V.
Most Popular
H1
Incandescent bulbs of this type have one thread and are used on. Its luminous flux is about 1550 lumens, and durability is formed in the range of 330–550 hours. Power is 55 watts.
H3
H3 lamps are distinguished, above all, by a special connector for the cable. The thread in it is positioned in the transverse direction. Used in fog lamps. Power, as is the case with the H1, is 55 W, differ in luminous flux - 1450 lm.
H4
This type of halogen automotive bulbs has two strands and supports high and low beam or high beam and fog lamps. Quite popular devices are used in the automotive industry for a long time, having a power of 55 W and 1000 lumens of luminous flux. Due to the fact that H4 lamps have two strands, inside there is a metal plate that covers part of the light emitted by the strands. Due to this, the headlights do not dazzle the drivers of oncoming vehicles. Depending on the operating conditions, H4 should be replaced after about 350–700 hours of operation.
H7
Most H7 automotive bulbs appeared on the market in 1995. They have one thread and a good light distribution. Used in the headlights low and high beam. Have a relatively large light output with 1500 lumens and a power of 55 watts. Usually replaced after 330-350 hours of work.
Types of lamps
There are almost as many opinions about the different types of lamps used in automobiles as there are supporters and opponents. The selection of suitable lighting fixtures is particularly relevant to become. Of course, this is due to the decrease in daylight and, consequently, an increase in the need for driving after dark. The quality of light cast in this case is very important for comfort and safety on the road.
The most popular types of lighting are becoming less common - these are ordinary automotive incandescent bulbs, which have one or two strands.
Other, much more practical and most widespread at this moment are halogen lamps. Their lighting is characterized by a longer service life compared with the first type and the emission of brighter colors of light. Also worth noting is the appearance of xenon and LED lamps.
Ordinary
Unlike halogen lamps, which use filaments that have become unusable for a long time of use, LEDs are simple semiconductors with no wear and tear parts. In theory, they should work throughout the life of the car.
LED lamps also require less power than halogen counterparts, with and energy consumption. And the light emitted by the LEDs is much closer to the daylight, which makes its effect easy on the eyes and perfectly fights glare. In addition, they are very durable in terms of impact resistance and rather tiny, thus opening up new possibilities for attractive design solutions.
Disadvantages:
- expensive;
- generate heat;
- need to run than other types;
- in winter, the luminous flux is significantly reduced.
Lamp bases are quite diverse. They are:
- ceramic;
- plastic.
Of course, ceramic connectors, besides they can withstand high temperatures. But for illumination of reduced or regular power, you can install plastic bases for automotive lamps.
Service life depends not only on the characteristics, but also on such factors as. High intensity or jumps contribute to premature wear of the light bulb - hence the differences in stability of the same lighting elements in different machines. Not without attention also the operating conditions - vibrations and shocks will have a negative impact on light bulbs.
Many buyers do not think twice, spending hundreds of rubles for additional services, such as metallic paint or. But buying the right car bulbs will help improve ride comfort and keep you safe. What kind of car lamps you choose?
In the near future, LED lamps for cars will have to replace the usual halogen. Reasonable prices allow you to buy them for any vehicle. But I believe that the main direction of development will be the production of ready-made diode headlights with integrated cooling radiators.
All LED auto bulbs have two supply voltages, 12 volts for cars and 24 volts for trucks. But since there can be power surges in the on-board electrical network, which the diodes do not like, a driver (current stabilizer) is installed in them. Thanks to the driver, it becomes universal, it can operate at 12 and 24 volts.
The basic rule when choosing powerful H4, H7, H27, H1 is to choose by model and design. Chinese manufacturers produce each model for several types of caps, if you find an interesting, but the base does not fit, then look for it by name or label. usually desired is with the right.
I hope that all your experience and accumulated knowledge will help you get the answer to the main question: "How to choose LED lamps for the car?". Or at least do not buy outright junk in online stores, when you will be lured by cheap trinkets at an inexpensive price.
- 1. Nominal brightness on socles
- 2. Low beam lamps
- 3. High Beam
- 4. Near / far H4
- 6. Parking lights
- 7. Where to buy
Nominal brightness on socles
Before you choose automotive LED lamps, familiarize yourself with the power table of the different bases. It must meet the minimum requirements, otherwise it makes no sense to put it.
| Base marking | Halogen power | Brightness, Lumen |
| H1 | 55w | 1550 |
| H3 | 55w | 1450 |
| H4 | 60w | 1650 far 1000 neighbor |
| H7 | 55w | 1500 |
| H8 | 35w | 800 |
| H9 | 65w | 2100 |
| H11 | 55w | 1350 |
| HB2 | 60w | 1500 farthest 910 neighbor |
| HB3 | 60w | 1860 |
| HB4 | 51w | 1095 |
Low beam bulbs
Lamps for car dipped in the main use of the H7 base, rarely H11, the LED is not located in the upper part, its light flux is reflected down from the headlight reflector. To determine the actual luminous flux, you should find the technical documentation for the diodes used in it. Required features for low beam:
- Power must be at least 12 watts.
- Luminous flux of at least 1000 lm, if you use high-quality diodes CREE, Philips.
- A radiator must be present in the design, if it is not there, then the power is small and there is nothing to cool there.
The store cannot guarantee that they will fit 100%. There are several reasons due to which operation will be difficult.
- LED auto light just because of its radiator size will make it difficult to wear a sealing cover behind the headlamp.
- The design of the headlamp will not be combined with the design of the LED, because of this, the light boundary will not be clear.
Most people who buy get the desired results, this is an improvement in light at night. Ignition of the headlamp may be a disadvantage during operation in the winter season, its power is 3 times lower than the power of the halogenka and the heat generated may not be enough to heat the headlamp and it will be covered with ice and frost. One of the outputs, to install halogen in winter.
What lamps to choose?
A large number of readers ask which lamps to choose and where to buy. If you are interested in high-quality and proven LED lamps for near, far, PTF, DRL, I recommend the proven online store www.netuning.ru I checked 63 stores using LED lamps and only in netuning.ru there are specialists who have expensive testing equipment automotive led lamps. In the store you will find the right lamp or you can contact me.
High beam
Decent H1
LED lamps for auto H1 more demanding on the power of LEDs. The cost may be absolutely different, but the quality more or less depends on the price. On the far a lot of not very good reviews, the owners do not get the desired result, the illumination at night is changing and not always for the better. Most of the distant complaints are caused in bad weather conditions, in rainy weather, most are not happy, there are no advantages over halogen.
Performance Requirement.
- Power should be at least 17-20 watts.
- Luminous flux from 1500 Lm.
- The presence of a radiator for cooling the LEDs is required.
Disadvantages, the same as that of the neighbor, may not intervene in the headlamp due to too large sizes. If it even fits, the headlamp sealing cap may not close.
The peculiarity of Chinese marketing is that the brightness is indicated not for one light bulb, but for two, because of this, such huge values of the light flux are obtained. For example, if it is indicated that the brightness is 3600 Lm and the power is 50W, then only 1800 Lm is real. And if it exceeds 2500 Lm, then it is almost always a hoax.
Near / far H4
LED H4
The peculiarity of the LED automotive lamps with H4 base is that two are combined in one. One dim light is in the upper part, the far diode in the lower part. When choosing pay for size, the smaller they are, the better. Initially, the headlight is designed for halogen helix dimensions, therefore the diode dimensions should be as close as possible to the helix dimensions.
On sale online stores there is a large variety for cars at prices from 1000 to 5000 rubles. Often, technical specifications and designation are incorrect, and for a brightness of 500 lm with a H4 base they can write that it is suitable for the neighbor. To make it easier to navigate directories.
Main required characteristics:
- near at least 1000 lm;
- at least 1500 Lm;
- full power should be at least 17 watts, with an efficiency of 100 lm per watt;
- there should be a radiator with an active or passive cooling system.
Now some LED lamps for auto H4 indicate brightness in 3000, 3800 and even 4500 Lm. Such values of the luminous flux say that the value is indicated for two in total. In reality, one will be 1500, 1900 and 2200 Lm. As a rule, values above 2500 Lm for one are exaggerated, for better sales. Pointing everywhere in the name, description and packaging of popular brands such as Cree, Philips, Osram, Chinese manufacturers can replace the branded LED with a similar unknown production. To distinguish such a fake can be externally, the Chinese is more in size.
Particularly popular now is the replacement of halogen caps with a H8, H11 protivotumanok for LED lamps for cars. The primary role they do not play, so many put what fell on 400-700 lm. Having traveled a bit, they are forced to remove them and put the old ones. Fog, like other lighting devices require compliance with the minimum characteristics, their nominal brightness of 900-1000 Lm, and putting less does not make sense, because they simply turn into an element of auto-tuning.
In 2015, new items appeared, so that the road inspectorate did not find fault, a yellow cap was worn on the diode, so that the flow looked like the color of a halogen. To focus in the spotlight was perfect, it is provided to adjust the position of the diode.
Now it is fashionable to use fog lights as daytime running lights, if you have already installed the LED lights, then do not check their brightness at night from a distance of 5 meters. DRL should be checked on a sunny day from a decent distance of 100 meters. The same selection rules apply to fog as the rest of the world:
- Power from 10 watts.
- Luminous flux from 900-1000 lm.
parking lights
For parking lights W5W
The range of LED dimensional LEDs with a W5W T10 base (or t10 T5) is very large, from weak 100 Lm to powerful 500 Lm. The rated power of the dimensions is 5W and the brightness is 50 Lm, I strongly advise you not to abuse the excess of the values of the nominal light flow, 1-2 Watts and 50-100 Lm will suffice. As practice shows, powerful dimensions fail faster, they are helped by neighboring halogen cells that help them heat up.
This is especially true of LED auto lamps for dimensions with a plastic base W5W T10 and trompe l'oeil. The decoy loads the electrical network with a resistor and due to this it can get very hot, additionally heating up. I consider the best option to install a separate external fake, which will be located away from the LEDs. Cap dimensions may be different, but the most popular ones are W5W, T10 (t10, t5). Inspect the headlamp design, especially the section near, in which the parking lights are located. A large auto bulb sometimes does not fit in its place due to its size, most often due to its length.
Where better to buy
There are two purchase options in the domestic and in the Chinese online store. Each option has its pros and cons.
Buy in the domestic online store
The price of lamps for cars, of course, will be higher than in Chinese, but there are shops with a small difference in price, a small difference may be due to a large number of sales. In the catalog often indicate these characteristics, rather than curtailed. I managed to find shops, the cost of which was almost equal to the Chinese, but the delivery was for 3 days and was given a guarantee for 6 months. The peculiarity of Chinese products is a higher reject rate. Since they often fail, I would buy in a domestic online store, there is no Chinese guarantee and a quick exchange for a new one.
It is advisable to choose LED auto lamps that have a manufacturer, for example, MTF (MTF). If the manufacturer is known, then you can find reviews about its products, it monitors the quality of products, at least a little values its reputation.
If you buy in a Chinese online store
The cost will naturally be lower, but the number of risks increases. These specifications are indicated very rarely, most often they are very high, there are no official catalogs. Due to the large number of defects, they often fail, not only car lamps, but also drivers for them. Let the seller give the Chinese guarantee after the sale, but in reality you will not be able to use it. We must first prove that you did not break it yourself; if you prove it, the probability is very low, you have to send it to China at your own expense, there goes a month, a month back. As a result, the seller will pretend that the parcel did not reach him, in the end you will spend money, time, nerves and will not achieve anything. Warranty is only when after the sale the seller did not receive the money and they are pledged, for example, at Aliexpress trading platform.
(votes: 70, average: 4.70 out of 5)
› Automotive halogen lamps for cars, what to choose?
Conventional car lamps
Lamps with two filaments (low and high beam), received a classification of H4. They have a standard rated power of 55-60 watts. Automobile lamps of greater power cannot be used, since this can lead to various negative consequences - from blinding the drivers of oncoming cars to the failure of the electrical equipment of the car.
Since the production of standard lamps has been debugged for decades, it can be said that they work quite stably for the whole service life. In addition, in recent years, you can buy automotive lamps with an increased lifetime. Moreover, the release of this type of devices is not only a marketing ploy, but also a necessity. Many European countries have introduced the mandatory use of low beam during the daytime, as this reduces the number of accidents. Naturally, the round-the-clock use of headlights leads to a faster failure of the lamps, so leading companies began to produce automobile lamps with a long service life. The only drawback is the brightness, which in such lamps may be somewhat lower than in ordinary ones.
Modified car lamps
H4 car bulbs are still the most popular. Of course, there are more modernized lighting devices for cars, for example, xenon or LED. But for many reasons, such as high cost, the need for additional equipment, not every car enthusiast decides to buy car lamps of this type.
At that time, as standard H4 automobile lamps did not change in principle, interesting modifications appeared, designed for various purposes and operating conditions. The list of differences in the device can be quite extensive - this is the gas composition of the flask, and the characteristics of the coating of the flask, and the spiral of the lamp, and much more. Different manufacturers can have these and many other parameters.
Automotive lamps improved visual comfort
Motorists who prefer a white color with high brightness will be wise to buy car lamps in this category. They are characterized by an increased light temperature, close to the temperature of more modern xenon lamps. This is actually a more comfortable light, as it is closer in terms of daylight. Another positive quality is that the light of such lamps improves the concentration of attention of the driver.
Reputable manufacturers achieve this effect through the use of special filters. Such car lamps have a high brightness of radiation, which is different from cheap fakes with a blue coating on the flask, which have the opposite effect.
Virtually the only drawback that these car lamps have, is the inconvenience of driving in bad weather, since white light can interfere with the driver, reflected in droplets of atmospheric moisture.
■ Philips BlueVision 4000K halogen lamps
■ Philips CrystalVision 4300K halogen bulbs
■ Philips DiamondVision 5000K halogen bulbs
Automobile lamps with enhanced light output
This type of device is capable of producing more light at the same standard power rating. The manufacturers declare quite decent numbers: + 30%, + 50% and more. Before you buy a car lamp with such characteristics, you should know that the power of the luminous flux depends not only on the lamp. Of great importance, for example, the design of the headlights. Therefore, the lighting power declared by the manufacturers will not always be achieved.
It should be noted that although manufacturers use the most modern techniques to increase the luminous flux, the effect is still achieved in part by reducing the service life, which is a disadvantage of this type of lighting device.
An important advantage of these devices is that they have standard power, so there is no overheating of the headlights. With proper adjustment of this headlamp is not dangerous to other road users. It is worth buying automobile lamps of this type to drivers with the weak eyesight, and also drivers of advanced age. According to experts, with age, the need for light intensity increases several times, that is, a 60-year-old driver needs 5 times more light for a good perception of the road than a 30-year-old.
■ Philips Premium halogen lamps + 30%
■ Philips VisionPlus halogen lamps + 50%
■ Philips X-treme Power Halogen Lamps + 80%
Weatherproof Car Lights
It has long been established that the light of a yellow color shade is more noticeable in rain or fog conditions, which increases traffic safety. In addition, yellow light contributes to a more contrasting light under conditions of poor visibility. When fog or rain, ordinary headlights can be reflected from the smallest droplets in the atmosphere, which makes it difficult for the driver to get an overview. Yellow light, which gives all-weather lamps, in this regard is much more practical, therefore, suitable for use in bad weather.
The general trends in the development of the automotive lamp market are increasingly leaning towards gas-discharge and LED lamps. But until more advanced devices become affordable enough, manufacturers will try to please motorists, creating more and more interesting and functional standard car lamps.
■ Philips EcoVision halogen lamps
Halogen light
The most important factor in ensuring traffic safety in the dark is the good illumination of the roadway in front of the car. Indeed, about 60% of serious accidents occur exactly at night.
It is adequate lighting that allows for timely detection of changes in the situation on the road and gives the driver the necessary time to assess the situation and make a maneuver. Provides the necessary illumination of the head (long and short) light of the car.
None of the car manufacturers now use vacuum incandescent bulbs as head lighting. After serving humanity for several decades, they took an honorable place in technical museums and only occasionally are found in spare parts stores.
Replaced by halogen incandescent bulbs. The use of halogens allowed to significantly increase the service life of the filament and, as a result, to produce lamps of greater power. Until now, the vast majority of cars produced for the head light halogen incandescent bulbs are used.
But progress does not stand still, the story makes a new round and now the Volta arc is tamed and, enclosed in a glass flask, Yablochkov's candle is again brought to work. Of course, electrodes, their position, materials are already very far from their predecessors of the beginning of the 20th century, but the principle remains the same - an electric arc as a source of light.
If the headlights of the car is appropriate to compare with the eyes, then the headlights - with the sharpness of the car and its driver. It is the quality of the head light of the vehicle that directly determines the range and detail of the review in the evening.
Given current statistics, it can be said without exaggeration that improper head lighting is extremely dangerous. After all, serious accidents at night are a particularly sad chapter in the history of road traffic. Thus, every fifth accident that occurred as a result of technical defects and caused damage to human health is explained by defects in the lighting system. Even more impressive is the statistics of fatal accidents. Here, 50% of the accidents that caused the death of people occur at night. At the same time, every third car on the road does not have optimal lighting.
What makes this optimal lighting?
What are we looking for
Headlight has two components. The first is the design of the headlight itself (reflector and diffuser), the second is the lamp used. But if the headlights of modern, both imported and domestic cars are designed in accordance with all the basic laws of lighting and nothing depends on the choice of the owner of the car, then everyone can choose the lamp independently. And there are plenty of opportunities to choose from.
The automotive lamp industry has been around for almost 100 years. Naturally, for such a considerable period, manufacturing companies have accumulated vast experience in the development and manufacture of this product. Despite the fact that, in essence, the H4 lamp does not change - the two threads have not gone away yet - today this device has a number of different modifications that have all sorts of features. Each of these models is focused on a specific customer and has different characteristics. The composition of the gas that fills the flask, the electrode holders, the spiral of the lamp, the coating of the flask, etc. - Each of these parts has a great influence on the final result.
However, it is not only the lamps of different models that differ, there are serious differences among lamps from different manufacturers. After all, innovative solutions and high technologies used in the manufacture of lamps are of paramount importance: the process of optimizing the evacuation of air from flasks, the exact dosage of gases and the installation of all parts with an accuracy of microns. However, these technologies may vary from different manufacturers.
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